I'll start off this by saying that I'm not one to cry while watching movies or tv shows, and I if I do, it's mostly just a little bit of tearing up. "Hi Bye, Mama!" had me crying my eyes out, tears streaming down my cheeks at least once an episode.
"Hi Bye, Mama!" revolves around a pregnant woman that died in an accident and her loved ones, and how she's spent the last five years as a ghost looking on. Watching her daughter that she never got to hold grow up, her husband deal with mind numbing grief and eventually remarry. Until one night when she suddenly comes back alive.
I think what made this show so impactful for me was the acting. Despite having barely understanding of Korean, the raw and powerful emotions that the cast performed was what stood out and by not knowing the language the emotions portrayed was the main focus point for me, instead of what was being said.
The show also had it's more light-hearted moments with happiness, laughter, and people finding solace, but for me what made this show stand out was the great portrayals of loss and coping, and the helplessness that comes with it. Some of the side stories sometimes felt a bit rushed and that they could've done more with it, since I did feel at times towards the end that the show was slowing down a bit. Finally it had a fitting, well-written ending that gave closure for the audience and the characters themselves.
Overall this is one of my favorite tv shows I've ever seen, and I say that despite not really being an avid k-drama viewer. I'm writing this review 24h after I finished the show and I'm still a bit shook of the impact it had on me and the fact that some of the scenes still make me tear up as I think back on them.
"Hi Bye, Mama!" is strewn with beautifully profound messages of family, friendship and love and I'd recommend everyone to watch it, just make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready. This show I will for sure keep close to my heart for a long time.
